A Fender XII guitar used by Elvis Presley in the 1967 film Clambake has sold as one of the major highlights of a December 1-2 auction in Beverly Hills.

The guitar, which was also used to record the title track of the film, sold for $35,200, sitting comfortably within its $20,000-40,000 valuation.

Elvis wanted to move onto more serious, less commercial films

The 12-string in Lake Placid blue was played by the star in the last of his four films for United Artists, which was also the last film in which he was able to command a $1m+ salary. The film performed poorly at the box office, prompting studios to prove unwilling to give him more than seven figures in future commitments.

The guitar was given to actor Lance LeGault by Leo Fender in 1966, and LeGault brought it to the set of Clambake for Elvis to play. LeGault had been Elvis' stunt double in his earlier films. When performing the title song, Elvis retrieved the guitar and played it.

Another Elvis-used microphone will be offered at Heritage Auctions soon

Also selling well among the Elvis memorabilia was a studio used microphone, which topped its $6,000 estimate by 92% to sell for $11,520. The Eltro-Voice RE16 was accompanied by two letters, which both attest to its authenticity - further enhancing its appeal.

Felton Jarvis, who worked in Elvis' studio, states that the microphone was used during Elvis' final recording session in 1976. Charlie Hodge - Elvis' close friend - confirms this, adding that the microphone can also be seen in the 1972 film Elvis on Tour, while he is recording Separate Ways.